Ros Bates taken to hospital

Katherine Feeney

Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Ros Bates has been hospitalised with serious back injuries after falling at her home early this morning.

A statement from the minister’s office said she had sustained severe damage to her back and will remain in hospital for up to one week, with further recuperation likely to see her miss the final sittings of Parliament for the year.

“[Ms Bates will be] on continued medical leave for the next two to three weeks while she recovers,” the statement said.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek will take responsibility for Ms Bates' portfolio while she is on leave.

The fall comes at the end of Ms Bates' first week back at work since she took two weeks leave to recuperate from shoulder surgery performed in September.

Ms Bates underwent the operation for a shoulder injury she sustained on the campaign trail.

But a statement from her office in relation to the leave revealed the minister was also caring for her son - Ben Gommers - who is the subject of a Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation in relation to his appointment to a high-paying job at the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Mr Gommers was suffering from a bowel condition and depression, the statement said.

Ms Bates' leave also coincided with the decision by Transport and Main Roads' Director-General Michael Caltabiano to stand aside from his post following allegations he misinformed parliament about his work history at lobbying firm Entree Vous, which was part owned by Bates and her son.